Canadian Soldiers from Ontario Train in the North

Approximately 350 Canadian Army Regular and Reserve Force soldiers from southern Ontario, and Canadian Rangers are deploying to Nunavut in the depth of the Northern winter.

Exercise TRILLIUM RESPONSE 2014 will take place in Rankin Inlet, Chesterfield Inlet and Whale Cove, Nunavut, from February 15 to 23, giving soldiers from across southern Ontario the opportunity to work in harsh and demanding conditions and increase the operational readiness of 4th Canadian Division.

The exercise will give the soldiers of 31 Canadian Brigade Group the chance to sharpen the skills that enable them to fight and survive in some of the harshest conditions and most isolated parts of Canada. They will be practicing Arctic survival, live fire ranges, patrols and quick response to a threat or hazard in Canada's North.

Quick Facts

Nearly 350 soldiers will take part in Exercise TRILLIUM RESPONSE 2014, sleep in Arctic tents and use Light Over Snow Vehicles (LOSV).

31 Canadian Brigade Group is one of three Canadian Army Reserve Brigades in 4th Canadian Division.

4th Canadian Division's Arctic Response Company Group, composed of soldiers from The Grey and Simcoe Foresters, was established to improve the Arctic response capability of the Canadian Army and enhance sovereignty in the high North.

The Canadian Army is committed to sustaining well-trained, well-equipped and well-led units to meet a diversity of challenges in any environment around the world.

Rankin Inlet, NU, is a community of about 2,500 people on the north-western shore of Hudson Bay, 2,300 kilometres northwest of Toronto.

Quotes

"Exercise TRILLIUM RESPONSE 2014 is an important step in preparing our soldiers to operate in the Arctic, to hone skills and remain prepared to assist Canadians when and where military help is needed."

Brig.-Gen. Omer Lavoie

Commander, 4th Canadian Division

"Canadian Army Reservists are members of the community, most of whom have full-time jobs or go to school, and who choose to serve the Canadian Armed Forces part-time. Exercises such as Exercise TRILLIUM REPONSE 2014 give reservists valuable knowledge and skills that can also be applied to their civilian employment."

Col. Brock Millman

Commander, 31 Canadian Brigade Group

"Canadian soldiers can go anywhere, in any conditions and show up ready to carry out their mission. This exercise is a great opportunity for our soldiers to train and test our survivability, mobility and sustainability in a challenging environment with realistic conditions and we do this in cooperation with the Canadian Rangers from 1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group who provide advice, guidance and expertise to our soldiers."